Role of Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungi in Mediating Host Selection, Biology, Behavior, and Management of Tarnished Plant Bug, <i>Lygus lineolaris</i> (Hemiptera: Miridae)

oleh: Justin George, James P. Glover, Omaththage P. Perera, Gadi V. P. Reddy

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-07-01

Deskripsi

Non-insecticidal control strategies using entomopathogens, nematodes, and endophytes provide sustainable and safer alternatives for managing crop pests. This study investigated the potential of different fungal endophytes, specifically <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> strains, in colonizing cotton plants and their efficacy against tarnished plant bug, <i>Lygus lineolaris</i>. The effect of endophytes on plant growth parameters and cotton yield were measured during different plant growth stages. The entomopathogenicity of these fungi was studied in diet cup bioassays using <i>L. lineolaris</i> adults. The behavior of adult males and females toward endophytic cotton squares was analyzed using olfactometer assays. The experiments showed that the fungal endophytes colonized the plant structures of cotton plants, which resulted in an increase in the number of cotton squares, plant height, and weight compared to control plants. <i>B. bassiana</i> strains/isolates such as GHA, NI-8, and JG-1 caused significant mortality in <i>Lygus</i> adults compared to controls. Also, male and female <i>Lygus</i> adults exhibited repellence behavior towards endophytic cotton squares containing JG-1 isolate of <i>B. bassiana</i> and to other <i>B. bassiana</i> strains such as NI-8, GHA, and SPE-120. No differences were observed in the survival and development of <i>L. lineolaris</i> second-instar nymphs on endophytic cotton, and no yield differences were observed in the field experiments.